Which statement correctly describes carotid endarterectomy?

Which statement correctly describes carotid endarterectomy?

• A. It surgically removes plaque from the carotid artery
• B. It widens the artery with a balloon
• C. It bypasses the heart
• D. It removes brain tissue

Answer: (A)

Carotid endarterectomy is performed to restore blood flow to the brain by physically removing atherosclerotic plaque from the carotid artery in the neck. During the procedure, the artery is opened and the plaque is carefully removed (an endarterectomy), then the artery is repaired to prevent future narrowing. This directly matches the idea of surgically removing plaque from the carotid artery. The other descriptions refer to different procedures: widening the artery with a balloon describes carotid angioplasty, bypassing the heart is coronary artery bypass grafting, and removing brain tissue is unrelated to this procedure.

Carotid endarterectomy is performed to restore blood flow to the brain by physically removing atherosclerotic plaque from the carotid artery in the neck. During the procedure, the artery is opened and the plaque is carefully removed (an endarterectomy), then the artery is repaired to prevent future narrowing. This directly matches the idea of surgically removing plaque from the carotid artery. The other descriptions refer to different procedures: widening the artery with a balloon describes carotid angioplasty, bypassing the heart is coronary artery bypass grafting, and removing brain tissue is unrelated to this procedure.